Brides these days are opting to skip out on some wedding traditions. It’s not because they are in a hurry, they just choose to not take part in some traditions. It may just not be their thing. That’s totally fine because your day should be just that, YOUR day. The couple should do what they want and have it go as they want. Being different is what makes your day unique and memorable. Here are some things that are totally fine to skip...

Seeing Each Other Before the Ceremony
The superstition that it’s bad luck to see each other before the ceremony is well, just plain false. As a photographer I prefer the bride and groom to do a first look (the time where the bride and groom see each other before the ceremony) for 3 reasons. The first being it’s so much more special when a couple does their first look. When it is just the bride, groom, and photographer there seems to be so much emotion. They don’t have everyone watching them, which helps. They have time to take it all in and enjoy seeing each in their wedding attire. The second reason is it’s way easier on me as a photographer, which in turn there will be a better turn out of images for the couple. It’s harder to get the bride and grooms reaction at the same time when you’re one person. I mean everyone is standing, you don’t want to get in the grooms view of his bride and vice versa, and you usually don’t have a ton of space. The third reason is I can get so many of the pictures, like all of the family, bridal party, and the couple, done before the ceremony versus trying to get them all between the ceremony and the reception which leaves the guests waiting and possibly getting impatient.

Photo Credit: Andria Lindquist

The Receiving Line
It simply takes too long and it usually feels rushed. You can’t really talk with your guests in a receiving line, you are expected to say thank you for coming then hug and move on. I think doing table visits before dinner is served and/or after dinner. You can actually talk with your guests and also you’re able to get pictures. I guess it depends on how many guests you have. Regardless, I think table visits are just more intimate and easier.

Wedding Favors
Have you ever seen how many wedding favors are left behind? And if you’re the bride and groom you know how much money you are throwing in the trash. You can still thank your guests for coming by saying thank you when you do the table visits. It's just as meaningful in my opinion versus candy in a cute little box. Some ideas for giving them something to take home would be a box to take leftover dinner or cake in. Or if you have a photo booth the pictures are a good little memento from the wedding.

Matching Bridesmaid Dresses
I think as long as there is some aspect of the bridesmaid dresses that match it will look good but having the dress style, color, and accessories matching perfectly is not needed. Not all of your bridesmaids will have the exact same body type so not one style of dress or color will flatter every bridesmaid in your bridal party. I think as long as you do something like have the same color but different dress styles or same dress style in different tones of a color. And heck, if you want to do different styles and different colors then go for it! I would say if you do different styles and different colors tie it all together by matching their flowers and/or accessories.

Walking Down the Aisle to Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus”
I see a lot of brides walking down the aisle to a song they picked out. This is the perfect way to show your guests how unique you are. Choose a song that is meaningful to you and your groom, a song that has significance in your relationship, or one that really speaks of your personality. Whatever you choose is fine, remember it’s your day!

Wearing a White Gown
I personally like white gowns. Whether they have lace, pearls, or rhinestones, I think white wedding gowns look elegant. I have also seen wedding gowns that were not white and they still looked gorgeous. Whatever style and color you feel the most comfortable in or flatters you better than buy that dress and wear it proudly on your wedding day.

These are just some of the wedding traditions that you can skip. What are some that you didn't do at your wedding or what are some you plan to skip for you wedding?

If you have a budget for your wedding then you know that sticking to that budget is very important and can be difficult to do. A bride typically thinks of the main expenses such as, the dress, cake, vendors, decorations, and food. But there are little things that many couples don’t factor into their budget or just forget about. There are costs for before the wedding and after the wedding that are easily forgotten about. I’m going to list some of the costs that are overlooked.

I want to address the average cost of weddings so that you can see how necessary it is to have a budget. This will vary on location and what you choose to have and not have for your wedding. I looked up the average wedding cost on a few different sites. My jaw nearly hit the floor when I saw these costs! Make sure you are sitting down for this one! The Cost of Wedding says “The average cost of a wedding is $25,764. Couples, on average, spend between $19,323 and $32,205, but most couples spend less than $10,000.” The Knot says that in 2016 the average was $35,329. They also stated, "This is actually the first time we've seen a dip in the average cost per wedding compared to the previous year with the cost being $33,391 in 2017. Are these people insane?!

Marriage License
The cost of marriage licenses vary from state to state. While doing research, not only does the cost vary by state but some vary by county. There are some states that will charge a reduced fee if the couple participates in premarital counseling for 12-weeks. I found that the lowest is Nebraska, costing $15 and the highest is Minnesota, costing $115. You can look up to see what your state requires and the cost at Find Law.

While we are talking about the legal cost of getting married, I’m going to over a cost that is overlooked till after the wedding and you don't realize what all it takes and that is getting your last name changed. There are so many things you have to get your name changed on. Until you go to change your name on things you don’t realize how many different things there are that you have to change your name on. The big ones are your social security card and drivers license. We forget about doctors, bank accounts, job, insurance companies, utility bills, credit card companies...see it’s like a never ending list! I highly suggest visiting the website, Name Change Kit and purchasing the New Bride Name Change Kit to make it so much easier.

Creatively Asking Friends/Family to be part in the Wedding
Of course this is not a necessity in your wedding but it’s always a fun way to ask people to be apart of your big day. If you look at Pinterest there are hundreds of creative and fun ways to ask your friends to be a bridesmaid. A Gift Personalized and Personalized Cart have a lot of great products. And of course, my all time favorite, Amazon. Because you know they have just about everything! ?

Save the Dates & Invitations
Couples don't neccsarily forget about the invitations, it's everything that comes along with it. It's something definitely not thought about when putting together a budget. I know that Save the Dates are a big thing but I personally don’t think they are needed and they are definitely not a necessity. Some other items that are not a necessity but definitely something you may want to have are wedding programs, place cards, and menus.

Then there is the cost to send the invitations. Not only will you need stamps for the invitations themselves but you’ll need them for Save the Dates, RSVP cards, and thank you cards. Two websites that I highly recommend are Minted and Polka Dot Design.

Special Beauty Preparations
You want to look good in every way possible for your special day and that means taking some extra steps (and possibly some extra money) to do so. The biggest one is having your nails done. The average price where I live for a manicure and pedicure is about $35 each. Then if you want to do the waxing it can be about $40. Another big thing is spray tans. The average cost for one session is about $22.

Getting Ready for the Wedding
If you and your girls decide to get ready at the brides house or a bridesmaids house you will save a lot of money. But if you want to go all out or have a large bridal party, you will want to get a hotel room or suite. You’ll probably want to get the room for 2 nights because check out is typically at 11a and more than likely you won’t be done by then.

Additional Vendor Costs
Vendors that are usually at the wedding are the photographer, videographer, the DJ or band, and wedding planner. And yes, you have paid for their service but they need to eat and drink too. You will need to calculate these people into the headcount for the wedding meal. Believe it or not, tipping is expected with some vendors (do your research), and is a way of saying thank you for a job well done. Some vendors include gratuities in their fees, while others leave the amount up to the couple so they can tip based on how happy they are with the vendors service.

Alterations
You won’t have to worry about this if the dress you purchase fits perfectly (this is not common but if it happens kudos to you!) If you have a friend or know someone who alters wedding gowns you may be able to get a cheaper rate but if not alterations are not exactly cheap. Be sure to do your research and find someone who knows what they are doing!

Accessories and Undergarments
For some wedding gowns you will have to buy special undergarments. There is also the shoes, veil, garters, and jewelry. I can’t forget to mention that if you are wearing heels and you’ll be outside, there is an awesome product called heel protectors made by Solemates.

Gifts
It is common to get members of the wedding party or anyone that helped or participated in the wedding, a thank you gift. Next on your list to get a gift for are the bride and grooms parents. Some couples will give siblings, grandparents, and other close friends and relatives gifts. Some couples get each other a gift on their wedding day.

You may choose to give the guests wedding favors. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. A few ideas that you can do are koozies, candles, candy, and coasters that are personalized with the couples names and wedding dates. A few websites that have a large selection of gifts are My Wedding Favors and Beau-Coup.

Setup, Room Re-Setting, Breakdown, & Cleanup
Depending on the venue, their contract will have more information on this. Be sure to add these fees( if they aren't part of the rental fee) when looking for a venue.

So are you surprised at some of these? I know writing this I was like oh yeah, and I've been married! Is there anything I forgot? Are there any forgotten costs that you spaced on at your wedding? Let me know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links which means I recommend products and services I’ve used or know well and may receive a commission if you purchase them. This is at no additional cost to you.

Being a Photographer comes with a lot of ups and downs. It can be hard because a photographer runs every aspect of their business alone. There is no higher management to go to when you run into a problem. There is no secretary to keep track of all of the paperwork or to answer general questions. It’s all on you. You don’t have a team to break down a plan and divide the work up. There are no co-workers to vent to or to help solve a problem. Some of you may be saying to yourself “then why be a photographer and do what you do?" Well, I love photography, I love capturing moments and turning them into a beautiful memory. I love telling stories with my camera. I love being able to make someone see what the world sees instead of the person just looking in the mirror. The smile on their face when they see their images makes being a photographer worth it. Hearing a simple thank you and that I have made it possible for a family to have pictures together...those are the reasons being a photographer is so rewarding and the reason I do what I do.

I love working with people, don’t get me wrong. But there are times when people are far from their attitude being all sunshine and rainbows. I do love my photography clients. But even the best clients (and I'm not just talking about mine) have some misunderstandings about photography and the business. Just like any other business there will be issues and irritating situations. You have always heard at businesses that the customer is always right. Well I’m here to tell you that no, they are definitely not always right. Sometimes that aren’t even close.

Thankfully being a photographer and running my own business in this day and age allows me to not be COMPLETELY alone. Because of all of the social media we are able to connect with other each other. Especially Facebook! There are so many Facebook groups (and I’m a member of a lot of them) out there that help photographers with things like trying to figure out a problem we’ve run into, getting others input on something, and definitely venting about an issue or problem they have run into with a client. And let me tell you, more than half of the time there are posts about handling clients expectations or a problem or issue with a client. I don’t know what it is but there are clients that feel that they are entitled to so much and often times so much more than what they are getting. How many times have you heard about clients suing their photographer because they weren’t happy with their photos or some other ludicrous reason? Photography clients just simply don’t get it! Many of them have a complete misunderstanding about the photography business. So I am going to go over some of the things that clients don’t seem to get that I see a lot of in groups.

Okay, but why are you telling us all of this you may be asking. I'm telling you this to hopefully allow for people to understand that this business is not easy. You can't just give up on us. Nobody is perfect. I don't claim to be. But you better believe if you have an issue that I will do my best to address it and fix it. Here is the kicker, you have to contact me about it first. I don't know that you are unhappy with something if you don't tell me. I can not unfortunately read minds.

So now onto the list of things that clients more than likely will never understand about owning and running a photography business or being a photographer.

- We Hate the Cell Phone Photographers -

The most frustrating and annoying thing for wedding photographers are the guests that get their phones or tablets out at any point during the time they are shooting a wedding. And even more annoying is when they can clearly see the photographer with a camera taking pictures as the bride is walking down the aisle. You can take your pictures but do you really need to stick your arm out in the aisle?! Or better yet do you really NEED to physically get in the aisle?! Here is your answer...NO! Thank goodness for whoever (I bet it was a photographer or a ticked off bride) the genius was that came up with the idea of "unplugged" weddings! I always tell my brides that it would be a smart idea to state in the invitation that you have a photographer at the wedding to take pictures and that they can sit back and enjoy the wedding. Another idea I mention to them is to have a sign somewhere at the wedding saying that they have hired a professional photographer to take photos so you can rest your phones.

Cell phones don't just appear at weddings either. I have seen and heard of it more and more that someone comes to the photo session who isn't in the photos and are taking pictures over the photographers shoulder.

The poor groom can't even see his bride!

So much for that shot!

- The Rights Clients Have To Their Photos -

We are definitely living in a digital world which is really convenient and great for the most part. Nearly everyone owns some form of electronic device such as a tablet or smartphone. And with those devices pictures are digital. The pictures taken end up on Snapchat, Instagram, etc. So of course a lot of clients prefer digital files when choosing their method of photo delivery from their photography session. They think that just like the pictures they took with their devices they can do whatever they want with the digital images they receive from their photographers such as put a filter (which is usually not even good looking) on the image or resize them. And that is where they are 100% wrong! Clients are getting a License for Personal Use, NOT a copyright release. A blogger, Christine Tremoulet whose posts I have read says it perfectly, "These are actual, LEGAL terms. They have a meaning behind them. It is pretty important. If you give your clients the Copyright on their images, it means that they have the rights to do everything with them and you have NO more rights to use them." There is NO photographer with the correct knowledge that would ever give a copyright release.

For some reason clients think that since they paid for the pictures they own them and can do whatever they want with them. Clients need to research their legal rights when they purchase digital files. Again, they are for ONLY personal use. They can NOT be altered in ANY way. They definitely can not sell them either. The photographer owns the images even though you have purchased them. The photographer has every right to display the images in any form whether online or in a portfolio. The photographer also has the right to sell any images they have taken.

- Editing Takes The Most Time -

A good photographer will take their time editing your photos. Don't mistake me either, good photographers can also be quick at editing. So just because a photographer can edit quickly does not mean they are not being as detail oriented as a photographer who takes a little more time. There is so much that goes into editing just one photo, so imagine editing images from a wedding! Photographers do not enjoy or get a thrill out of making you wait for your images, trust me!

- Pricing -

This is by far the biggest complaint of them all by clients. It does not matter if your prices are too high, too low, or just right, clients will still complain. There will be clients that don't want to pay what you're worth. The clients that are never happy with your prices are not the right client for you. The clients that don't want to pay what you are worth don't value or understand the service you provide and the products that come along with it. The right client that values you and your work will pay your price.

Clients think they are just paying for you to come and take their pictures. They don't think about the time it takes away from your family. They don't think about the hours it takes to go through and then edit their pictures. Plus those hours that are spent at a computer and not with family or working another job or even cleaning the house. With pricing, you can't please everyone or fit yourself into everyone's budget so don't try. People will always have their opinion on how much you are charging. You can read the article "Why Professional Photographer are so Expensive" and then let me know that my prices along with most other photographers are ridiculous.

So what did you think? Am I out of line? To the photographers, am I right or wrong? To the clients, would you be willing to think again about some of these things?

This post contains affiliate links which means I recommend products and services I’ve used or know well and may receive a commission if you purchase them. This is at no additional cost to you.

The bridal shower is a fun and relaxing party for the bride to share the excitement of getting married with close friends and family. It will be one of those days that make the fact that you are getting married a reality! Typically the bridal shower is thrown by the Maid of Honor with the help of the bridesmaids.

So how do you throw a great bridal party? Just continue reading to find out how to prepare for the bridal shower, what all you need to do, and some tips to make the day a success!

There are a few things you will need to discuss with the bride before you hit the ground running. You should discuss these things about 2 to 3 months before the shower. The first thing to find out is a date for the bridal shower. Make sure that the date is accommodating for the bride and all of the bridesmaids. The bridal shower should be 2 to 3 months before the wedding. A few other things to find out is whether she wants a co-ed shower or just close female friends and family. Also find out if she prefers a theme or a style and the location. Make sure to get all of her input and then take over from there. Once you have discussed these things with the bride let her know that YOU GOT THIS! Tell her all she(or her and the girls) needs to do is go shopping for the perfect outfit and show up!

Once you have a date and other details follow the time line to stay on track so that everything falls into place. The last thing you want is to stress the bride out. So if you are stressing, just don't let her know! As long as you stick to a plan and the time line you should have no reason to stress! Remember...you got this! The moment you are asked to be a part of the brides big day, whether it be the maid of honor or a bridesmaid there will be stress, but again, I promise you will be fine.

Some other things to make sure you have before you start the "work" is a guest list, and to decide on an invitation and either purchase them or make them yourselves. Some websites with great options for invites are Minted and Sophie's Favors.

Bridal shower planning timeline

2 to 3 Months Before the Shower
- Organize the guest list and contact info
- Book the location if needed
- Set a budget
- Decide who in the bridal party will do what
- Order or make the invitations

1 Month Before the Shower
- Send invitations
- Purchase or make favors
- Plan the meal or refreshments
- Order food or establish who is bringing what
- Decide, purchase and/or make decorations

2 Weeks Before the Shower
- Confirm reservation if one has been made
- Purchase Bridal Shower gift
- Finalize RSVPs and follow up with those who have not responded
- Prepare activities and games
- Pick out your outfit(yay!)
- Make a shopping list for food and drinks
- Purchase food and drinks

The Day Before the Shower
- Set up tables, chairs, etc. at location
- Prepare food
- Confirm plans with bridal party
- Run any last minute errands

On the Day of the Shower
- Keep track of who got the bride what
- Prepare any fresh food
- HAVE FUN!

I didn't want to throw too much info at you so I plan to do upcoming blog posts about different bridal shower games, bridal shower themes, decorations, and how to plan a bridal shower on a budget. I hope that you will come back for those blog posts!

This post contains affiliate links which means I recommend products and services I’ve used or know well and may receive a commission if you purchase them. This is at no additional cost to you.

If you are going to be creating your wedding invitations yourself you're going to need the right font! The font sets the tone for the invitation and in my opinion the wedding. You can either do elegant, modern, and so many more! I have created a list of some of my favorite websites where you can get free fonts. They don't have to just be for wedding invitations, you can use them for nearly anything.

Just click on the picture and it will take you to the site.

I hope that you will be able to use some of these fonts to make your wedding invitations look great!

This post contains affiliate links which means I recommend products and services I’ve used or know well and may receive a commission if you purchase them. This is at no additional cost to you.

Photography is always fun, there are no problems, everyone is happy, time is not problem, all clients are 100% happy all the time, photographers loves to make clients mad. Okay, back to the real world!!! All of those are FALSE! Photography is fun, well most of the time. I guess I should add that there are never any “faux” photographers coming into the picture. Oh, and there are never any controversial issues.

Que some of the "issues" in photography...

The Copyright

There is no middle ground on this one. Either photographers believe in it or they don’t. I personally copyright my work. Why? Because it is my work, I am proud of it. I’m not going to let anybody take it and use it as their own. If you didn’t know creating an image takes time and is not always easy. Technically the law says that as soon as a photographer presses the shutter button they own that image. But people either don’t give a damn or don't know that the photographer owns the image when the shutter button is pressed. I want to go a step further and copyright my images to be safe. There are some photographers that see no benefit of a copyright and that just blows my mind.

Is a Model Release Necessary?

Some people actually say no, I’m not sure who these people are! My thought on that is they must be insane! I require a model release with every session I do. I’m not about to wait for somebody to get sue happy because I used their photo for marketing or merely just have it on my website. The ones that don't worry about a model release also say that if you aren’t selling the image then there is no reason to worry about about the model release form. But again back to somebody suddenly saying that they never agreed to letting me use their image for marketing or to allow it to be public. I’ll be prepared if they feel the need to sue me!

Better Gear = Better Photos

Nope not 100% true. Yes a certain lens will the enhance the sharpness of a photo but can you tell I’m not using a $xx,000 lens? Nope! And yes, a full frame camera will give you more pixels but again can you tell that I’m not using a $xx,000 camera? Nope! The most basic camera can capture a great image if you know what you’re doing. If you can get the lighting and angle right you’ll be fine. And the big one, if you are creative that’s a huge plus. Now if you take the most basic camera go take pictures of a family with no thought it’s not going to be a very good picture. My camera and lenses were not cheap but they weren’t ridiculously expensive either.

We're Friends or We're Family, Can I get a Free Session?

The simple answer is no. I am trying to make a living just like you. My business isn't charity work. There has to be a boundary between family/friend time and business time, if there's not a set boundary for family or friends problems may arise. Every photographer can write a blog that is a few pages long on this topic. Every photographer is asked this at least once in their career. I would go as far as saying more than just once. I will be writing an upcoming blog about this issue in the future.

Photoshop

Some photographers love it and some photographers hate it. I am in the middle. It's great to be able to remove something in the photo that isn't supposed to be there(don't ask me to remove the girlfriend that you broke up with last week but was in the family photos 3 weeks ago), or give the image a golden tone, make the picture a tone of black and white, or to peep up the sky. But there are some photographers that majorly over use it and to me it ends up ruining the picture. Less is more sometimes.

Amateurs Undercutting the Real Photographers

Every photographer has to start out somewhere. I remember not that long ago when I started. Photography is already a competitive industry but then you throw in the amateur photographers and it seems impossible sometimes to get ahead. It's a bit hard to compete with a newbie offering to do photos cheap and then on top of the cheap price they give the person all of the images. I'm not doing that and I won't do that. Please if you are looking for a photographer, remember to be smart. Remember the saying, "quality over quantity"? That is perfect for this situation. I see my work as having value and if someone doesn't see my work as having value then they really aren't the right client for me.

This post contains affiliate links which means I recommend products and services I’ve used or know well and may receive a commission if you purchase them. This is at no additional cost to you.

We are in the final months of the school year and for you Juniors that means your SENIOR PICTURES! I am going to give you some tips to help you with your senior pictures. I wrote a section for the girls and for the guys. Senior pictures are always exciting! Having your senior pictures done makes it all feel real. This is your last year of high school. You'll be entering the real world soon. Please, please savor your senior year. It goes by so fast and these are some of the best times of your life. I know all kids say they can't wait to get out of school. They can't wait to move away. They can't wait till they don't have to listen to their parents. Well for someone who graduated in 2003, most of you are going to miss high school. It's the easiest time of your life, no bills, no major responsibilities, it all changes. Once you're out of school it's all on you! I mean you even have to call and make your OWN doctors appointments...it's insane! lol

Okay girls you're up first! If you're a guy you can skip this and keep scrolling until you see Senior Guys. Hopefully you can use these tips to help you feel more comfortable going into your senior session. You can read all of these tips but the main thing that will make everything fall into place and make your photos look true is to be yourself!

The hair tie on your wrist!

So...take a look at your wrist...is there a hair tie on it? About 95% of girls are going to laugh a little to themselves on this one because they are guilty. I am totally guilty of it too. It's just part of my everyday routine, heck, I don't think it comes off my wrist unless it's in my hair or I'm taking a shower. It just makes me feel better having one on my wrist because i know that if I need to, I can put my hair up. A weird security blanket type thing I know.

On the day of your senior pictures try to remember to take it off your wrist in advance so that of course it's not there for your pictures and so that there isn't an indention isn't left on your wrist. Usually I will catch it in time or before we've taken too many pictures for it to have ruined very many pictures. Let me tell you, it's no fun having to Photoshop a hair tie off a girls wrist.

No mini skirts or short shorts!

What I have to say is my personal opinion and since it is my business this is how I see it. This is a senior session not a boudoir shoot. I will not take your pictures if your clothes are too skimpy. Yes, you are the client and you are paying for it (or Mom and Dad) but this is one thing I feel strongly about. I do not want to be known as a photographer that allows high school seniors to wear something only a 25 year old should be wearing.

On top of my personal reasoning, I would be very limited on the angles I could shoot from and the poses you could do. You would barely be able to move, so all of your pictures would look the same.

Make sure to shave your armpits!

There are some poses where I have you put your arms over your head or your hands in your hair. Aaaand if you forgot to shave your armpits...well those poses are out! If you just bought an adorable strapless or sleeveless shirt or dress and plan on wearing it for your session hopefully that is enough to make you remember to do this. But please please please try to remember this one!

Avoid tan lines.

Tan lines really show up in pictures and they don't look good. You should know well in advance your date for your senior session so try to schedule your days in the sun around this date. You can definitely get some color for your pictures but just be very careful with the tan lines.

Spray tans are another big thing. If you plan on getting a spray tan for your senior session do so 2-3 days before your session. Also try to get it done in the evening. If you've never gotten a spray tan you should get a test one done months in advance to see how it looks on you. If you absolutely have to get one, get the lightest color they have. You want just enough to give you some color but you also don't want to look like a oompa loompa(for those too young, watch the original Charlie & The Chocolate Factory).

Be careful with the bra straps.

A few days before your session try on everything you plan on wearing to make sure it fits right and that you can't see your bra straps. If there is a top or dress you bought just for your pictures or you absolutely love you may just need to find a different bra for that piece. And please don't wear the clear bra straps, you will still be able to see them in pictures.

Stick with your normal look

I know your senior pictures are special but don't do your hair or makeup too fancy. I want the pictures to be of YOU. And definitely don't go to your hair stylist the day before and chop off all your hair. At least wait till after your pictures to go with a drastic look.

Wear clear deodorant.

You will be changing outfits and you don't want it to get it on your second change of clothesor any change of clothes for that matter. If you have a reaction to the clear deodorant, find the spray kind and use that, you should be good with that for the day.

Other helpful tips

Paint your nails the night before your session. If you want to go with the natural look and you do have old nail polish on that has seen better days make sure you remove it.

Don't wear shiny lip gloss or lipstick. The camera may catch a glare that I'm not seeing when I take the picture but will definitely show up in the final product.

No sparkles of any kind anywhere. Same with the shiny lip gloss, it won't look good in the final product.

Feel free to bring props. If you have a Letterman jacket, bring it for a few pictures. If you play a sport like volleyball, bring a volleyball. You could also bring your uniform. If your school and time allows for it we may be able to go to your schools gym and do sports pictures there or on the field.

Avoid patterns, strips, and all white.

I have photographed guys, whether it be for a wedding or a senior session and they are far from thrilled about getting their pictures taken. Girls get excited about their senior session, guys however typically couldn't care less. But guys, don't worry, I won't ask you to do any girly poses(unless you are down with that, lol). Just be yourself and I'll make sure that you look like a guy. I'm sure you guys will be a little nervous and that's fine, it's normal. Just relax. You aren't any less of a guy for being nervous. I'm going to give you some tips so that you are prepared for your senior session.

Empty those pockets.

I know guys keep their keys, wallet, phone, etc.(aka their world) in their pockets all the time. Be sure to empty everything out of your pockets. You would be surprised what some of the stuff you want to keep in your pockets look like in pictures. Leave them in your car or you can always leave them in my vehicle.

Do something with the facial hair.

Make sure you are clean shaven for your senior session. I'm not trying to be your parent and harp on you about this, I just want you to look your best.

Do something with your hair.

If your hair is longer, make sure that it isn't so long that you are constantly moving it out of your eyes during your session. If that calls for you to get a little trimmed off go ahead, it won't hurt I promise. And it will grow back. Just make sure your hair is clean and you styled if you are able to style it.

Avoid tan lines.

You know when the day of your senior session is so avoid too much sun before your session. I know you will want to get some color for your pictures just be careful on how much you get and take all measures to avoid tan lines.

Clothing

You have unlimited clothing changes so be sure to bring a lot of different options.
These are the clothes and/or outfits I recommend to bring:
- Nice jeans and a t-shirt. Don't wear any t-shirts that have any graphic illustrations or vulgar language.- Nice jeans and a button up shirt.
- A dressy casual outfit. This could be khakis and a button up shirt.
- If you are in sports bring your uniform and if possible we can go to your school gym or field.

Iron any clothes that need it the night before then hang them up. PLEASE don't bring your clothes stuffed into a gym bag. I know for sure your Mom will not be happy about that. Be sure that the clothes you will wear are comfortable and flattering. Try to avoid wearing stripes and patterns. If you are going to wear an undershirt I suggest black or gray v-necks under the dress shirts to form clean and defined lines. The same goes for undershirts for other shirts, stick to black or gray. White undershirts photograph poorly and stick out too much. One last thing not to wear is basketball shorts, dingy looking t-shirts, and sweatpants. When it comes to shoes bring a few casual shoes and a pair of dressier shoes. Nice looking tennis shoes and flip flops(not the Nike sports ones) can be brought, we may use them.

Other helpful tips

Feel free to bring props. If you have a Letterman jacket, bring it for a few pictures. If you play a sport like basketball, bring a basketball. If your school and time allows for it we may be able to go to your schools gym and do sports pictures there or on the field.

This should be obvious but brush your teeth and don't eat right before your session.

I hope that those of you preparing for your senior pictures can use these lists and feel more comfortable going into your session.
Good Luck to the class of 2019!
Don't forget if you are in the Southern Indiana area you can always contact me to do your senior pictures!
You can find me on Facebook at Kirsten Alana Photographyor contact me through my website!

This post contains affiliate links which means I recommend products and services I’ve used or know well and may receive a commission if you purchase them. This is at no additional cost to you.

Kirsten Alana Photography is excited to begin the search for 2019 seniors! Senior sessions are one of my favorite sessions to shoot! Senior Model Reps I have worked with are always fun to photograph. My Senior Model Reps are always such naturals in front of the camera and do a great job! Your senior year is something that you will never forget and I enjoy being able to help contribute to the excitement of being a senior by giving you a fun senior session experience.

I will only be accepting two Senior Model Reps from each school so be sure to discuss this with your parents/guardian and get your application in!

What Is A Senior Model Rep?

A Senior Model Rep is one that promotes and represents Kirsten Alana Photography through out their Senior year by sharing their images from your session with KAP. You can also share your awesome experience with KAP. You just simply let your friends and other seniors know that KAP is a great choice for their Senior pictures and encourage them to book with KAP. Rep's can explain that their session was fun and did not feel like a chore. Let them know that you played a large part in your senior session. You will find out that I allow for every senior rep I work with to give me input on how they want their senior session to go. I will work to the best of my ability with the senior reps ideas on poses, locations, and other ideas. Over half the time I let the senior rep take charge so that it is truly made to be YOUR session.

You will be the face of Kirsten Alana Photography for the class of 2019!!

What Does It Take To Be A Senior Model Rep?

You must be graduating in 2019.
You need to have a guardian sign a model release form and contract.
You must promote Kirsten Alana Photography positively and exclusively.
You must bewilling to actively seek out opportunities to represent Kirsten Alana Photography and bring in new clients.

You need to...
Be outgoing, fun, outspoken, and confident.
Comfortable in front of the camera.
Have a good reputation.
Be responsible and dependable.
Be active in school activities.

As long as you are outgoing, social, and outspoken you should have no problem promoting Kirsten Alana Photography. Yes, I want you to succeed to help me get more business but I also want you to succeed for yourself. Getting someone to purchase something is not always an easy task. When you have gotten that yes and have achieved your goal of referring people to me you will feel good and know that you were able to make a difference. Now, I know you aren't saving the world or anything life changing, but achieving any type of goal, small or big is always a confidence booster.

Perks & RewardsFor You & Your Referrals

Your specialized discounted session will be a 90 minute session at a agreed upon location.
You will get pre-session email consultations to discuss all details.
10 edited digital images.
Discounted prints or photography products when you purchase through me.
You will be featured in a special Senior Rep spotlight blog post all about you and your session on my website, blog, Facebook, and Instagram.
You'll be featured in social media marketing.
Customized Senior Rep Referral cards to pass out to friends.
Hair and Makeup(if the artists I work with are available).
If you feel like the 90 minute session wasn't enough and you want another shoot, you will get an additional discounted 2nd session for a 60 minute session with 20 digital images, 10% off print orders.
Refer a minimum of 2 referrals and get $10 print credit for each referral that books and completes a session.Once you have met the minimum of 2 referrals you will receive a link to your private online gallery to download 30 digital images. The images will come with a print release.
Each referral that books and pays for their session will receive 5 free digital images and 10% off print order.

Bonuses Of Being A Senior Rep

25% off sessions for any member(s) of immediate family.
Senior with the most referrals will receive a mini shoot with their best friend.
Giveaways, Various Contests, and opportunities among the Senior Rep Crew to win more.

Senior Model Rep Guidelines

Must be a graduating senior of the class of 2019.

Senior Rep and Guardian must sign a contract & model release form.

Senior and Guardian must agree to promote exclusively and solely Kirsten Alana Photography for the duration of the contract and/or Senior year.

Senior Reps cannot work for or represent any other photographers, including family members.

Use watermarked images from session with KAP as profile pictures on social media and also share other images from your session on specific social media accounts.

Must follow Kirsten Alana Photography and Kirsten Carr on all social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Snapchat is optional.

Spread the word about Kirsten Alana Photography on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and refer your friends using watermarked images.

You are required to tag Kirsten Alana Photography.

You must send a minimum of 2 referrals to Kirsten Alana Photography.

If the minimum of 2 referrals is not met, you will be responsible for paying the remaining balance ($125) of the senior session.

So are you ready to be a Senior Model Rep?! I sure hope so!
Now all you have to do is fill out the application!

This post contains affiliate links which means I recommend products and services I’ve used or know well and may receive a commission if you purchase them. This is at no additional cost to you.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I’ll earn a commission if you shop through them.

We all know that the Maid/Matron of Honor and the Best Man have important roles in the wedding. They are the ones that talk the bride or groom out of not backing out....or in some cases, talking them IN to backing out. Okay, okay, I'm not serious. But really, we know that they are the bride and grooms second hand person, an assistant if you will. And we know the flower girl tosses the petals signaling the brides entrance and the ring bearer is in charge of the rings. But what is the rest of the party's role? What about the family?

I did some investigating and found out what is expected of each member of the bridal party and family. I also dug a little deeper and looked to see what each person is supposed to pay for. Remember these are the "traditional rules". I did not find any of it set in stone or wrote in blood. So if you don't agree or it's not how you did it or plan to do it I wouldn't worry too much.

Brides Parents

We'll start with two of the most important people in this equation, the mother and father of the bride. As a couple the brides parents are the ones expected to fork out the majority of the money for the wedding. But these days you find the bride and groom covering a big part, if not all of the wedding costs. More commonly and depending on the situation, the expenses are spread among the bride parents, grooms parents, and the bride and groom themselves.

The brides parents are the ones who hosts the engagement party, and I thought those big fancy parties were only for the movies! They help the bride in preparing the guest list and assist with the wedding details. The mother of the bride picks out her outfit first and then lets the grooms mother know what she is wearing so the two cancomplement one another.

The mother of the bride acts as the wedding planner, guest list moderator, attends the bridal shower(sometimes hosting it) and rehearsal dinner. The brides mother pretty much just does what the bride asks of her.

The role of the father of the bride doesn't just stop at paying for most of the wedding, oh no no. He is STILL expected to do even more! Poor guy! Some of the other tasks the father may have are organizing directions to the wedding site, although now he's pretty much in the clear thanks to the good ole' GPS! So since he can mark that off his list he has time for airport duty for out of state guests. You probably thought that he had put his checkbook safely away at this point...nope! On the wedding day he is allocating tips to wedding day staff. He also has a variety of hosting and toasting tasks.

Finally on the day of the wedding the father of the bride escorts her to the ceremony. In my opinion the father of the bride has the most special role of the day, he gets to walk his little girl down the aisle. Sometimes both parents will walk her down the aisle. At the end of the night he is the last to leave the reception and make sure everyone has been paid...again with the money! lol

Grooms Parents

I was really surprised to read what the role of the grooms parents are. It is practically nothing compared to the brides parents list. After the engagement, the grooms parents contact the brides parents. This seems odd to me. I guess because it seems like the parents would have met before then. Once the brides parents have hosted the engagement party the grooms parents can then host one as well. They consult with the brides parents on the number of guests in order to supply them with a list of their family and friends and also consult about the attire. The grooms parents host and pay for the rehearsal dinner on the night before the wedding. They may contribute to some of the wedding costs. I wasn't able to find a reason why the brides parents traditionally do so much more than the grooms parents. I personally would really like to know the reasoning behind this. I'm going to assume it just goes back to the good old days of tradition.

The mother of the groom can partake in any of the responsibilities that the brides mother has if she feels like it. She attends the bridal shower. The biggest role she has is the mother/son dance.

The father of the groom has a bit more to do than the mother. Traditionally he will pay for some of the major items. Again, in today's world that would mean the parents, both the mother and father. But that's good to know because I thought the brides father would have to borrow money from the grooms father at some point!

The father of the groom may also help with moving tables, chairs, and escorting guests. It was also stated in an article I read for reference to the blog post that, "It's nice too if he checks in with the bride's dad occasionally to offer support". I was thinking it may be nice if he checks to see if he needs a loan! lol

Maid/Matron of Honor

The maid of honor is pretty much the brides assistant from start to finish. She is there throughout the planning, helping with details or acting as second set of eyes for the bride. The maid of honor attends bridal shows and goes dress shopping with the bride. She is in charge of setting up dress fittings and keeping the schedule of the dress alterations on track, along with the bridesmaids dresses and making sure the bridesmaids are on schedule of getting everything they are to get. She takes charge of the bridal shower and bachelorette party. The maid of honor helps the couple with tasks such as addressing invitations and keeping track of who got the couple what.

On the wedding day the most traditional and common things the maid of honor does is holding and fixing the brides dress and veil, signing as a witness on the marriage certificate, toasting the newlyweds, helping the bride get into her dress, holding her bouquet during the vows, and is in charge of the grooms ring. After the ceremony the maid of honor helps the bride change out of her wedding dress and keeps her wedding dress and bouquet for her until she gets back if the bride is leaving immediately after the reception for the honeymoon.

Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids assist the maid of honor with the wedding planning and helping the bride as needed. Some of the pre wedding tasks they may be asked to help with would be addressing invitations, making wedding decor, favors, and shower favors. They will also help the maid of honor with the bridal shower and bachelorette party. The bridesmaids and maid of honor typically take care of the cost of the bridal shower and bachelorette party. Usually all or some of the bridesmaids will go with the bride and the maid of honor when the bride is shopping for her wedding dress and other accessories. The bridesmaids pay for their own dresses, shoes, jewelry, etc. They also pay for their own transportation and lodging.

Best Man

The best man's role is similar to the maid of honor's. The groom usually doesn't want much say in the wedding details so he just goes with what his soon to be wife says(smart!). The best man plans and organizes the bachelor party. The best man helps with getting the guys their wedding attire. Typically he will help with coordinating all of the groomsmen fitting for tuxes if tuxes are being worn. The best man also picks up the grooms attire prior to the wedding and confirms the honeymoon details and travel reservations the day before the wedding(this was a new one for me).

On the day of the wedding the best man is hopefully one that can take charge and be responsible because he is to keep all of the groomsmen in line. More importantly the best man is to make sure the groom arrives at the ceremony on time. He is in charge of the brides ring which is also a VERY important task. He holds the officiants fee until after the ceremony, signs as a witness on the marriage certificate, and says a toast at the reception. He is also in charge of returning all tuxes if tuxes were rented.

Groomsmen

The groomsmen have it pretty easy before the wedding and during the wedding. They mainly help the best man with anything he needs. They all pay for the bachelor party and give their thoughts on plans. The groomsmen are responsible for being fitted and picking up their attire. At most weddings the groomsmen act as ushers and assist in seating guests. They are in charge of decorating the getaway vehicle. The groomsmen pay for their own attire and any transportation needs or lodging.

Flower Girl

Typically the flower girl is between the ages of 3 and 8. The articles I read said that the flower girl should be mature and be able to walk down the aisle but personally I think it’s cute when they have the flower girl all dressed up and being pulled in a wagon if she is younger than 3. But along with everything else in this post it’s at the couples discretion. The flower girl usually scatters flower petals in the aisle before the bride walks down the aisle. Sometimes the flower girl will just walk down the aisle holding a miniature bouquet, basket, or pomander. The flower girls parents pay for her wedding attire and are invited to the rehearsal dinner.

Ring Bearer

The ring bearer is usually between the ages of 4 and 8. The ring bearer carries fake wedding rings (the maid of honor and best man already have the real rings) on a decorative pillow down the aisle. I have to stop and say, can you imagine if they were the real rings and the ring bearer wasn’t in the best of moods that day and just decided to toss the pillow?! I don’t care how confident you are that he won’t lose them please stick with fake rings! Something new I have seen is couples having their ring bearer carry cute signs down the aisle instead of the pillow. Some of the sayings on the signs I have seen say, "Here comes the love of your life", "Daddy here comes our girl", "It's about to get real", and "If you think I'm cute, wait till you see the bride". There are so many cute to sweet to funny sayings that you can have put on the sign.

I know there may be some tasks or other things that I missed for each role but I just listed the main things that each person is seen to be in charge of. Some other bridal party members that couples have are junior bridesmaids, junior groomsmen, ushers, and miniature bride. Also some couples choose to use a pet in place of the ring bearer or flower girl. There really are so many more options these days with what people can be in charge of on a couples wedding day.

Did I miss anything? What are your thoughts on the expected roles and responsibilities of each member of the bridal party? What do you think of what is expected of the brides family and the grooms family?

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I read an article on the knot.com and thought that it was so spot on I had to write about it. The original article is, Top 20 Wedding Photography Mistakes. The Knot asked photographers around the country about the top mistakes made in wedding photography. All of them are on point but I will just go over the ones that I feel strongly about. So here it goes...

Not Sticking to the Finalized Schedule

Every bride should make a schedule of the day. Make a schedule including, the time the bride will start getting ready, when her bridesmaids will get ready, when certain pictures will be taken, etc. You do have some wiggle room with the schedule but if something goes wrong or changes, being an hour late has potential to ruin the photos.

Letting Relatives Get in the Way

Or anyone for that matter...I've seen it happen...not cool. There is always someone who brings their camera and takes all the pictures that I am taking while I am taking them, which leaves the bridal party left to not be sure who to look at, making it to where not everyone is looking at me, which leaves the photos to where not everyone is looking at the camera, and no it doesn't ruin the picture terribly but it looks much better when everyone is looking. My advice is if we're doing a group shot or you know that I am taking a picture, then to be safe look at me. If I do not have my camera up and/or I have stepped off to allow for others to take pictures then you are fine to not look at me. Or the case where they ask the couple or bridal party to wait so they can get some pictures. Here is my thing, I was hired to take the pictures. Yes, it's fine if you are taking pictures too, but when you have everybody stop for every picture I take then you are causing us to run behind schedule.

Not Getting Help Organizing your Guests

It's best if you have someone who knows the family and other people who will be in the photos. I more than likely will not know a single person other than the bride and groom. So if you can have someone organizing who is on what side of the family, having them ready, and directing them where to go, it makes for the photos to go a whole lot smoother.

Trying to Make Things "Perfect"

The day will NOT go perfect and that's okay. This is the day you are marrying the love of your life. I tell every bride and groom, all that matters is that you get to the end of the aisle and you both say "I do".

Skipping the "First Look"

I know that some couples really want to see each other for the first time at the beginning of the ceremony but doing a first look, which is when it's just the couple and the photographer and the couple is seeing each other for the first time before the ceremony, is so much better for a couple of reasons. First, it really is so much more intimate because you don't have everyone staring at you. Secondly, it gives me so much more of opportunity to get the real first look. There won't be as many nerves because you don't have the entire venue looking at you. It's also gives us more time to get a lot of great shots of the bride and groom. And the last reason is that it will save so much time on trying to rush after the ceremony and get all of the photos needed in.

Waiting too Long to Book your Photographer

If there is a wedding photographers work that you love and price is good, book them. Wedding photographers typically book fast, years in advance even.

Looking at the Camera All the Time

Some of the best photos are the candid ones. As long as we aren't doing the portrait photos or the photos where I am directing everyone or just the couple, then just do your thing. If you see the photographer, just act natural.

Not Providing a List of "Don't Takes"

I try to set up a meeting with each couple if possible, and this is something I ask. Be sure to answer this question honestly. If there is a certain way you don't like being photographed let the photographer know. Something else that goes along with this is please let me know if there are any strained relationships. I don't want to put two people that don't get along in the family next to each other.

Asking for too Many Shots

I personally have done enough weddings I pretty well know the shots that are the "needed" or "typical" shots. Meaning the bride with her family, the groom with his family, etc. Of course there may be a special picture that you want. But there is really no reason to give me a list of all the shots you want taken.

Not choosing a Photographer You Connect with

Just like Gillian Reinhardt from Carolina Studiossays, "Make sure we get along". If we get along and "click" then everything will go so much smoother.

Skipping the Engagement Session

If I do your engagement session, that will be time that we get a real feel for each other. You will get to see my shooting style and how I work. That will definitely help work out any of the nerves that you may have with me. It's also a good practice session for the couple.

Falling for Photography Trends

I've seen it, we've all seen it. All couples want the same thing that everyone else getting married is doing. I did it when I started, but now after further educating myself, I have really tried to back away from what's trending. I want you to still love your photos 20 years down the road.

Those are my thoughts on the article written. Let me know what you think. Do you agree or disagree?